black & italics are memories.

black is a written letter.

italics are thoughts.

Hope you enjoy

The dark imposing manor that haunted her dreams every night loomed over the frightened brunette, her eyes scanning the silent drive. Taking a deep breath and steadying her nerves, Hermione pushed the grand gate open and slipped through the gap. The stones beneath her shoes crunched in protest as she made her way towards the double wooden doors.

"What can Blinky do for you Miss Hermy?" the small creature stood to attention, its large ears flapping in anticipation.

Smiling lightly at the house elf, surprise evident on her features at the creatures recognition. "I have come to see Lord Malfoy," desperately trying to keep her voice steady.

The elf cheerfully waved her in, leaving Hermione to stand alone in the lavish foyer. The rich decor seemed familiar though she wasn't sure why, the last time she was here she didn't exactly have the time to take in their new surroundings after all being tortured by a psychotic witch at knife point took her undivided attention.

The Malfoy ancestors sat quietly on the wall watching the brunette with suspicion and some with mild curiosity but none spoke a word.

"Miss Granger, I have been expecting you." The masculine blonde made himself known, leaning heavily on his cane, his knuckles gripping the snake head in a deathly vice. "Follow me".

Hermione was taken into his private study, the Lord of the manor took the chair behind his desk gesturing for the girl to a seat. "I was expecting you sooner but better late than never." His face showed the signs of grief. His age catching up on him unlike his ex wife who still could pass for a 30 year woman.

"Did Harry owl you? I'm not sure why am even here to be honest" Hermione honestly replied, shifting anxiously under the purebloods scrutiny.

"I would be more surprised if you did Miss Granger. Mr Potter has no need to communicate with me".

Unable to stay seated Hermione shakily stood, moving away from the former death eater, gravitating towards the mantel that held framed photos of Malfoy jr. It wasn't the four photos of the blonde boy as a chubby child waving clumsily in childish delight that caught her eye but the last two made her breath escape her lungs painfully, one showed Draco in his Hogwarts graduation gown with the Head boy badge proudly pinned to his lapels and her standing next to him, their arms over the others shoulder grinning at the photographer.

Swallowing down the sudden despair her eyes trailed to the last photo of them both kissing under enchanted mistle toe but she knew that whatever took place between them was the relationship of siblings. Grabbing the frame, a memory that laid hidden resurfaced.

"I'm telling you, father has changed" Draco whined at Hermione as he paced the study floor, his grey orbs misting up.

Hermione sat perched on the loveseat, gulping down the sharp whiskey enjoying the burning sensation trailing down the back of her throat. "I don't want to lose you".

The blonde stopped short, turning to face his friend. "You will never lose me Hermione and father will see that. You saved us all from azkaban. You saved me from the darkness and gave me hope again."

The study door, cut off his ramblings, opening for the newcomer. "Interesting company you keep son" the voice was soft and held no malice.

Hermiones breath hitched at the sight of Lady Malfoy striding into the room, her blonde hair done elegantly in a French knot, her baby blue form fitting robes clinging to all the right places. She couldn't help but admire the stunning pureblood, her eyes staying glued to the woman's curvy hips. Nothing like her demented sister.

Missing the mischievous smirk dancing on the blonde witch's red delicate lips.

"Miss Granger." Hermione dropped the photo on the carpet at Lord Malfoy's clipped tone breaking through her thoughts. The frame drifted back to its rightful spot.

Brown met grey. "I was friends with your son. Why can't I remember?" Her voice wobbled, feeling the burning pricks between her eyes.

"You are aware of memory charms yes." Hermione nodded meekly. "I have your memories in a pensieve waiting for you".

On cure a small metal bowl appeared on the desk with a soft thud, a white envelope drifting into Hermione's shaking hands. "Read the letter first." Lord Malfoy left the witch alone.

Carefully prying open the envelope.

Hermione

If you are reading this then for some fortunate reason you have made the unconscious decision to seek out Lucius. I knew our secrets couldn't stay hidden forever, don't blame Lucius, the man was rather reluctant in removing the precious memories but I tearfully begged him till he relented.

It's rather strange writing to myself if I'm to be honest but I need you to know the whole truth, to remember everything so you can either decide to move forward or like me allow the past to consume our very lives.

After the battle ended with Harry standing victorious over the crumpled dust that once was the dark lord, a familiar blonde wizard came up to me asking for forgiveness. I was hesitant but after seeing the truth in his eyes I knew I couldn't reject his sincere apology. I know you doubt your sanity right now but we came great friends to Draco, he was a completely different person to what he displayed at Hogwarts.

You, I, us made the choice to stand up for all three of the Malfoys along with Harry. Saving Draco from a punishment he didn't deserve led the boy to come the man you came proud of. You battled against everyone that tried to hurt him and hexed any unfortunate fool that badmouthed him. So came when you furiously tore the school governors into confetti forcing them to allow Draco to rightfully return to Hogwarts and the Head boy position that he earned with his grades.

We came as close as siblings and I couldn't live with knowing it was my fault. Guilt consumed me to the point that I was a wreck and still am. I can't write everything down, you need to watch the memories and work out the rest.

I am sorry that I destroyed us and Lucius & Cissa.

You need to forgive yourself before you come lost in the darkness forever.

H.G.

With renewed determination, Hermione grabbed the stone bowl placing it on the coffee table before enlarging it to its original size.

Without further thought she shoved her head into the silvery liquid watching the first memory become clear.

Spinning around at the snap of a twig Hermione held her wand in front of her, a blonde head appeared his hands raised. "I mean no harm".

Lowering the wand to her side, she eyed her childhood bully with suspicion. "Have you come to finish off what your aunt started?" She croaked out, her mind still on fight or flight mode.

Draco looked up into the brunette's eyes. "I wanted to apologise, I don't expect forgiveness not after what I did to you, after what my family has put you through".

Hermione glared coldly at the boy. Her wand hand twitching to curse the bastard but her brown eyes connected with his grey she could see he was telling the truth. The dark mark burnt into his pale flesh fading now that his master was dead, a boy playing a man's game.

Stepping towards the nervous Slytherin whose robes where badly burnt in places, suffered from the enchanted fire. "I accept your apology Malfoy".

Hermione was thrown out the pensieve and back on the couch in the study of Malfoy Manor. Her chest tightened, the first tears started to fall. Unaware of being watched.